TEDxSantaBarbara, a locally organized offshoot of the international TED nonprofit, is partnering with UCSB Natural Reserve System and Bren School of Environmental Management and Science to kick off its second year of Adventures and Salons with two events to engage locals in spreading and activating powerful ideas about sea level rise.

These events tease topics that will be discussed at the annual TEDxSantaBarbara conference, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 7 at the New Vic Theatre, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara.

In a year marking the 10th anniversary of TEDxSantaBarbara, the conference is looking to honor another significant marker in our community: the 50th anniversary of the modern environmental movement.

“Santa Barbara is the birthplace of world change, including the concept of Earth Day that began in 1970. In honor of this movement, we are making a focused effort to lift up current environmental issues and climate activism,” said Mark Sylvester, TEDxSantaBarbara executive producer.  

Noting that many organizations around town began at the same time, including the first environmental education program at UCSB (one of the first in the country), and nonprofits like Community Environmental Council and Environmental Defense Center, Sylvester said: “Our events provide more opportunities for the community to meet with experts and start conversations that will lead to local action.”

The two events — each featuring world-class experts to answer questions and guide conversation — are thematically paired to examine local research on the issue of sea level rise.

In the first 2020 TEDxSantaBarbaraSalon in March, Charles Lester from UCSB’s Marine Science Institute will lead community members through viewing and discussing a series of TED Talks to explain the impacts of sea-level rise in Santa Barbara.

In April, a TEDxSantaBarbara Adventure at the UCSB Carpinteria Salt Marsh Reserve will examine the impacts of both sea-level rise and the debris flows from 2018.

Upcoming TEDxSantaBarbaraAdventures in 2020 — offering behind-the-scenes access to dynamic local people and places through exclusive tours — may include a SpaceX launch, an inside look at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, a glass blowing workshop, and a visit to the observatory at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

To reserve tickets and learn more about TEDxSantaBarbara Salons, Adventures and the annual Conference details, visit TEDxSantaBarbara.com. Sign up to volunteer for TEDxSantaBarbara, watch past speakers, and listen to podcasts on past and future topics.

Community Environmental Council is a promotional partner for the sea-level rise events. To discuss other community partnership opportunities, contact Sylvester at mark@tedxsantabarbara.com.

For the event schedule, visit TEDxSantaBarbara.com for information. Tickets are limited.